“Tired of picking on first-years already?” I teased.
“Yeah. They’re no fun. Not a single one of them can break my hold.” He shrugged his massive shoulders. Muscles wrapped around his thick arms and legs. Despite all his bulk, he was flexible.
But not fast. I could outrun him if I escaped. Big if. “Can anyone in the Keep break your hold?”
“Only one.”
“Just one? Who?”
Sarn’s eyes about popped out. “Did losing your magic mean you lost your memory?”
I thought back to my last bout with Sarn. “You can’t count that. It was cheating.” I had used a pressure point on him.
“Oh no, it wasn’t. It was a perfect move. How many other defenses leave no bruises or stop hurting immediately? None. It’s great for fending off drunks who pick fights, and people you don’t want to injure, but you want to warn them you could hurt them.”
Except if a person kept the pressure on the point, it was unbearable torture. With my firsthand experience, I had learned almost all the sensitive places on a body.
“I found one of the spots,” Sarn said.
Great. Yet another one of my mistakes coming back to bite me. “Have you taught it to anyone?”
“Not yet.” He peered at me in confusion. “What’s wrong with teaching it? You used it on that Cloud Mist whelp the other day.”
Interesting how I hadn’t even hesitated to use the move on Puppy Dog or the guard in the prison, and I had felt no remorse. Not like the time I had broken Sarn’s grip. Then I had been upset.
Before, pressure points and Devlen equaled evil. Now. Not so much.
“Sarn, what happens when that defensive move is learned by the wrong people?”
“I wouldn’t use it in a real fight.”
“Why not?”
“Come on, Opal. Basic self-defense. Hit and git. I’m not going to play nice with an opponent who wants to hurt me. When I hit him, my plan is to knock him down so he can’t get up and chase me when I git.”
“Using pressure points is playing nice?”
“Yep.”
“I’ll remember that when we’re sparring.”
He grinned. “I don’t intend to let you get that close.” Staying true to his promise, Sarn launched an in-and-out attack,
His speed had improved in a year. Outrunning him was no longer an option.
After the grueling workout with Sarn, I aimed my bruised body toward the bathhouse. Soaking in the warm water, I enjoyed a moment of peace. The students were attending their second morning session so the place was empty. I didn’t miss going to class at all. But I missed Kade. We had so little time together.
Six days remained in the warm season. Then Kade would be busy with the heating season’s storms. And what would I do if I traveled to the coast? Keep Kade company, search the beach for treasures with Heli and help Helen with the glass orbs?
I longed to talk to Devlen, as well. Changing into clean clothes, I headed to the market.
“Lovely Lady, can I assist you with your shopping today?” A thin boy, who looked to be ten years old but acted more like twenty, asked.
“No, thank you. But can you deliver a message to Fisk for me?” I slipped the boy a copper.
He flashed a smile. “I can, but I can’t guarantee an answer.”
“Fair enough. Please tell Fisk, Opal is in need of his special services.”
He saluted and disappeared into the Citadel market’s crowd. I marveled at the bustling stands and shops. Even though rain dripped onto shoppers, no one seemed to mind. Members of the Helper’s Guild carried armfuls of packages, haggled with stand owners, or dashed from place to place, leading confused customers to the perfect store.
The market was located in the exact center of the Citadel. Businesses and factories ringed the vast space, emanating out in concentric circles like ripples on a pond. Packed full of sellers hawking their wares, the market breathed as if alive.
The best way to navigate the various stores and craftsmen was to hire a Helper’s Guild member. They knew the honest sellers, competent workers and the good deals. Without them, a buyer could be conned out of a lot of money. Hiring them also kept the poor and homeless children fed and clothed. Fisk recruited them to work for him, giving them a place to stay and money to live on.
“Lovely Opal. So nice to see you again,” Fisk said in his new baritone. He held a clipboard in his oversize hands. “How is the boy?”
“About the same.” When I had checked on him, he hadn’t regained consciousness.
“How can I help you?”
I chose my words with care. “I need to find a person who has something of mine.”
“You’ll have to be a little more specific.” Amusement lit his brown eyes.
I explained about Finn and my blood, guessing if Finn had been hired in the Citadel, Fisk might have heard about it.
He tapped his fingers on the board. “An odd request. And I don’t normally deal with people who perform illicit deeds. However, I have a few contacts and can make some inquiries for you.”
“A few contacts?”
“Just in case. I like to be prepared for all customers. Anything else?” Fisk asked.
I couldn’t stay in the guest quarters of the Creepy Keepy much longer. With all the magic there, it suffocated me. Whichever way my future unrolled, I would probably spend at least half the year in the Citadel.
“I need a place to live. Small, private and secure enough I don’t have to worry about it when I’m away. Is that part of your services?” I asked. I had been in the western section of the Citadel where the majority of residences were located. The maze of streets, buildings and courtyards confused me, and the sheer density of them packed together overwhelmed me.
“Of course. For the right price, I can be—”
“A prince. I remember.”
We were interrupted by one of Fisk’s guild members. The young lady stood on tiptoe and leaned close to his ear, whispering to him. Fisk frowned then nodded to her. She dashed away.
His gaze turned speculative. “Opal, do you remember when those fake diamonds flooded the black market last year?”
“Yes.” I had helped find the source.
“Do you know anything about pearls?”
“I know oysters make them, and where they’re harvested.” I suppressed a shudder, recalling the emotionless Bloodrose family. They lived in isolation at the tip of Lion’s Claw Peninsula, exchanging pearls for other supplies. I wondered about the cold glass. Walsh Bloodrose, the clan’s patriarch, was a magician. Perhaps he invented it.
“Could you tell a fake from a real pearl?”
“Not anymore.” Without my magic, I couldn’t determine if those diamonds were real or fake.
“You’re still an artist. You might spot something we missed.”
“Is someone selling fake pearls on the black market?”
“We’re not sure. Pearls are harder to find than most gemstones, except diamonds. But now the market is inundated with them. Even the legitimate jewelry stores are fully stocked.”
“Have you asked Elita? She’s an expert in precious stones.” Plus, she has been very helpful since her part in the diamond incident was revealed.
“She thinks the black market ones are real, but they’re different.”
“In a good or bad way?”
“We’ve no idea. They could be from a new species of oyster and our concerns are for nothing.” He shrugged. “We’ll just have to wait and see if anything develops. In the meantime, Lovely Opal, I will make a few inquiries and find you a castle.”
I spent the remainder of the day visiting my old friend and mentor, Aydan. Working with him in his glass shop had been my lifeline while I had been a student. By the time we had caught up on news and shared a meal, it was late. My footsteps echoed in the empty streets of the Citadel as I returned to the Keep. Even more time had passed than I realized. I reached through my pants pocket, grasping the handle of my switchblade. N
o real reason to worry as this section of town was patrolled on a regular basis, but Valek had taught me not to trust those illusions of safety.
The night stayed quiet. A block from the Keep, a small furtive movement to my right caught my attention. I spun, pulled my weapon and froze in midyank. A little girl, too young to be out on her own at this time of night, stepped into the lantern light. She reminded me of a wild rabbit. One move and she would dash away.
I waited for her to speak. She scanned the street before she met my gaze. Her large blue eyes held fear and determination. Dirt streaked her face and her corkscrew curls hung past her shoulders in a tangled mess. She held a stuffed dog to her chest as if it were her shield. Perhaps it was. I recognized the pink bow.
“Where’s my brother?” she asked in a strong, no-nonsense tone.
I inclined my head toward the Keep. “In the infirmary.”
She suppressed her horrified gasp with amazing speed. Impressive.
“What did you do to him?” she demanded.
“Nothing. He pulled too much magic and almost died. He’s suffering from exhaustion.”
She cocked her hip and glared at me. “That’s what that helper whore said. I didn’t believe her and I don’t believe you.”
Helper whore? A thousand questions formed in my mind, but I stifled my curiosity. Instead, I challenged her. “Are you calling me a liar?”
“Yes, I am.”
Bold. I liked this girl. “Then let me prove it to you. Come with me.”
She stepped back as if I had brandished a weapon. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because you don’t have anyone else left to trust,” I guessed. “And you came to me. Why?”
“You were the only one…” She swallowed. “My brother pushed everyone out. Even me.” She glanced at the stuffed dog as a glassy sheen coated her eyes. “No one could get into the building. Except you.” Stabbing an accusatory finger at me, she asked, “What did you do to him?”
“I kept him from dying.” A light touch of power brushed my skin. She was too young to have magic, let alone be able to control it. I glanced around. No one was within sight. Perhaps it came from the Keep.
She nodded. “Now you’re telling the truth. Can I see my brother?”
“One condition.”
Instantly wary, she checked the street as if planning her escape route. “What is it?”
“You tell me your name and your brother’s name.”
“That’s two.”
I grinned. “All right, then on two conditions.”
“What do I get in return for the extra condition?” she asked.
“My name.”
My offer didn’t produce much enthusiasm from her.
“And a bowl of soup,” I added. “Do we have a deal, Miss…?” I extended my hand.
After the slightest of hesitations, she clasped it for one quick shake. “Reema.” She yanked her hand away. Her long thin fingers had felt brittle in mine. She would need more than one bowl of soup.
“And your brother?” I asked.
“Teegan.”
I led her past the Keep’s guards and to the infirmary. Healer Hayes stood outside Teegan’s room. Concern creased his face as he whispered to Irys. The words null shield filled me with an icy dread. An automatic reaction. Reema sensed my unease and slowed her pace.
A null shield would be necessary to keep Teegan alive. Waking in an unfamiliar place surrounded by unfamiliar people, he could pull magic and risk flaming out again.
Irys and Hayes ceased their conversation as we neared. No surprise touched the Master Magician’s face, but Hayes stepped toward me.
“Something wrong, Opal?” he asked. “Are you ill?”
“I’m fine. I’ve brought a visitor.”
He raised his eyebrows and I realized Reema hid behind me. I moved aside.
“Ah… It’s a little late for visitors.”
“She’s Teegan’s sister.” I introduced her.
He crouched down to her level. “Your brother is gaining more strength each day. What is your clan name?”
Reema pressed next to me. “Why do you need it?”
“I can create a stronger bond between us. Teegan’s been unconscious since he arrived and I can only reach him on a subconscious level. The more I know about him the better.”
Hayes had said the wrong thing. I felt her stiffen. Before she could bolt, I laid my hand on her bony shoulder.
“Let’s visit with Teegan first, and I promised Reema some soup.” I gave Hayes a pointed look.
He straightened. “Of course. I’ll send one of my assistants to the kitchen. I’ll also have an extra bed brought in. It’s too late for Reema to go home.” He hurried away, calling to one of his helpers.
Irys had been studying the girl, and I willed the Master Magician not to scare her off. She met my gaze and nodded with approval. “Let me know if anything changes,” she said before leaving.
I pushed open Teegan’s door. The lantern by his bedside cast a weak light. White blankets covered a small lump on the bed.
Reema climbed up, put her stuffed dog down on his pillow and shook him hard. “Tee, it’s me. Wake up.”
“Easy.” I tried to pull her away, but she shrugged me off.
“Come on, Tee. Wake up.” This time, she straddled him and bounced.
I grabbed her around her skinny waist and yanked her off the bed. She fought me, but she didn’t have the muscles or the stamina to break my hold. One benefit to the ruckus, Teegan opened his eyes.
“S’okay, Ree.” He glanced at me. A wispy thread of magic grazed my face. Before I could raise an alarm, it disappeared.
“Stay with Fire Lady, Ree. S’okay.” His eyes closed.
Reema had stopped struggling. I let her go. This time, she sat on the edge of his bed and held his hand. Her stubborn pout dared me to make her move. Instead, I plopped into the chair as weariness flowed through my body.
“Is this Fire Lady a friend of yours?” I asked her.
“No.”
“A relative?”
“No. We don’t have any relatives.”
“Yes, you do. You’re part of a clan, and if you dig far enough back into history, you’re distantly related to all the members in your clan.”
“Our mother told us not to tell anyone our clan name. She said no one would know it.”
Progress. “Where is your mother? She should know about Teegan.”
“She’s buried under a red rock in the Courtyard of Souls.”
“I’m sorry—”
“Shut up. Tee and I are just fine. Once he gets better, we can take care of ourselves.”
Such confidence. With her small stature she could pass for six years old, but I guessed she was closer to eight.
“Who is this Fire Lady? I can try to contact her for you.”
Reema ignored my question. Her attention was fixed on the night table. Next to the lantern was Teegan’s teapot resting on top of his apron. Someone had washed and folded the garment. The girl stroked the fabric with her fingertips. “I thought they had been stolen.”
“I brought them here. I thought he might want them when he woke.”
She turned her gaze to me. And for the first time I saw behind her tough girl mask. It took all my strength not to wrap her in my arms. The arrival of Hayes with a tray saved me from giving in to that desire. Reema launched herself at the food, eating with a steady determination as if the soup, fruit and cheeses would be snatched away.
Hayes pulled me from the room, closing the door. “Did she give you any more information?”
I relayed the sparse details.
He sighed. “Orphans. Wonderful.” He rubbed a hand along the stubble on his cheek. Dark smudges underlined his brown eyes. “Teegan’s a powerful magician. If he can control his magic, he’ll be enrolled in the Keep’s program.” He scowled.
I guessed where his thoughts went. If Teegan can’t control his magic, he would be joining his mother in the Courtyar
d of Souls.
Hayes returned his distant gaze to me. “Reema however is another story. We’ll have to contact the authorities and find her a place to stay. She can sleep in his room for a couple nights, otherwise…she’s yours.”
“Mine? But I thought—”
“She trusts you, and I need you to find out as much about her brother as possible.”
“But…”
“What? Do you have something else to do?”
Yes, but I needed to be in the Keep regardless. After Hayes left to check on his other patients, I returned to Teegan’s room. Reema had devoured every bit of food. When a knock sounded, she startled. I opened the door, stepping back so Hayes’s assistant could wheel in another bed. The sheets smelled of soap—a contrast to the rancid odor emanating from the little girl who eyed the assistant with distrust.
My charge. At least for the next few days. First order of business would be a bath. But when I made the suggestion, she refused.
“I need to go home,” she said.
“It’s too late to be out by yourself,” I tried. Reema scoffed.
“That abandoned warehouse isn’t a home,” I said.
She bristled. “You know nothing about it.”
True. But she loved her brother. “You’re right. But I do know Teegan needs you here. He hasn’t woken for the healer, but he woke for you. Without you here, he might not get better.”
A snort of derision. “You’re bluffing. All you grown-ups are the same. You think I’m some dumb kid. That I would stay here and be easy prey for the Citadel’s guards to pick up.” She hopped off the bed.
“At least let me contact this Fire Lady. Teegan told you to stay with her, remember?”
Reema snagged her lower lip with her teeth for a second before crossing her arms. “He’s sick. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
It had been easier to stop a flameout than convince this girl. This whole situation felt familiar. I searched my memory and it didn’t take long. Some recollections never fade with time. Although I might not think about my sister Tula every day, she was always in my heart.
“I’m not bluffing about Teegan,” I said. “My sister needed me with her. She wouldn’t wake for the healers or for Master Magician Jewelrose or for Yelena Zaltana, the Soulfinder. Master Jewelrose showed up in the middle of the night, took me from my home in Booruby and brought me here.” I gestured, indicating the room. “I was terrified, worried about my sister and overwhelmed. They claimed I was the key to saving her. What if I did something wrong and she died because of me?”
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